Grey water was being used by more than half (55%) of all Australian households in 2007, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.

Grey water was the second most common source of water after mains/town water. Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory had the highest proportion of households using grey water, at 72% and 63% respectively.

Nearly a quarter of Australian households used grey water as their main water source for the garden, with Victoria and Queensland the highest users, at 43% and 27% respectively.

Other main findings were:

The majority of Australian households are undertaking water saving activities; 67% saved water in the bathroom, 64% in the laundry, 50% in the kitchen and 40% in the toilet.

More than half (55%) of all households had at least one water efficient shower head.

Almost three-quarters (74%) of new homes (under one year old) had water efficient shower heads, compared to just under half (46%) in homes older than 30 years.

Most households (81%) had at least one dual-flush toilet, compared with 39% in 1994.

Nearly one in five (19%) households had a rainwater tank, up from 17% in 2004 and 15% in 1994.

Further details are in Environmental Issues: People's Views and Practices (cat. no. 4602.0).

Media Note:
Grey water is water that is re-used from waste water sourced from the shower, bath, laundry and kitchen.